A review (of sorts) of my friend, Dave Petersen's, film

[Reg Darling]

On the Wild Edge is about a life lived on and in a place held close to the heart—a place on the edge of the wild. The director, Christopher Daley, operated as a nearly invisible facilitator. The film is more memoir than documentary–the voice is David Petersen's, and the story is his story.
I'm far from qualified to pontificate on what is or is not radical, unprecedented or innovative in film, but I doubt very much that the cutting edge is particularly relevant to "On the Wild Edge." Having said that, I must also say that I haven't seen anything quite like it and I hope to see more.
On the Wild Edge renders the unfolding of a single elk season in the context of a whole life and way of life. Hunting is at the core of this film just as it is at the core of David Petersen's life and his bond with his beloved home territory in southwestern Colorado.
[It's not a hunting movie. There are no hoots, hollers, high fives, and/or idiot grins over bloody carcasses.]
Elk having been Petersen's source of winter meat for more than thirty years, he has taken them into his blood and bones. His relationship with elk has become part of his identity as a person endeavoring to live within his own ecosystem, not merely on it.
The film is rendered with an economy of means that makes no sacrifice of grace, sophistication, or meaning for the sake of its economy. There's no false modesty, but humility abounds and there are moments of perfect, unscripted authenticity—the body language of a bear, a yellow jacket sting, and tragedy.
On a more personal note, On the Wild Edge brought me back to my own wild edge(s) and I'm grateful for that.
https://vimeo.com/172554288

[YosemiteSam]

Read his book by the same title.  He's one of my favorite authors & an inspiration.

[RJonesRCRV]

Read "Going Trad" as part of a tradgang book pass around, and it was great.  Id like to see this film.

[Dave Nash]

My favorite writer and the movie is great.

[mjh]

Will be nice to watch over the holiday vacation!

[meathead]

Reg I agree with your review 100%.  I have watched it several times.

[4dogs]

Where can we buy this movie?  I looked on Dave's site and didn't see it.

[meathead]

4dog go back and check it out again. It's on his home page.

[highcountry]

very nice trailer. photography really crisp. Like the back ground music too. Bet the video is a good one. I hope a Cajun Boil from Steamworks there in Durango is on there too.

[TexasTrad]

Ordered last night -- I have read most of his books.  Can't wait to watch this film.

[4dogs]

Thank you Meathead

[oldrubline]

I spent a long time following the making of the film on the website for THE GOOD HUNT.  Then the activity on the site went cold and I sort of gave up on seeing it.  Next thing I knew my hunting buddy had bought it and it was called something totally different.  I can't wait to watch it!

Dan

[Whip]

I just watched the trailer and can't wait to see the full version.  Dave is a special and fascinating man.

[Dave Earley]

Thanks Reg - just ordered a copy - I have been waiting for this to come out after hearing about it a year or so ago.

[lt-m-grow]

Looks great, but a DVD?  Really?  Cannot buy and download?

It is not that I am that impatient, I am truly wondering whether I still have a DVD player.

[YosemiteSam]

Originally posted by lt-m-grow:
Looks great, but a DVD?  Really?  Cannot buy and download?

It is not that I am that impatient, I am truly wondering whether I still have a DVD player.

Didn't even think about that.  I can't even watch the DVDs I have anymore.  Windows no longer supports DVD software either.

[NYRON]

You guys must live in places with fast internet.

I hate the waste of a DVDs, but our cell service at home is non-existent and our internet is just a step above dial-up. Downloading and streaming are next to impossible.

Delivery mechanism aside, Petersen is a great storyteller and supporter of our ongoing legacy as hunter-conservationists. I haven't seen it yet, but I'll bet On The Wild Edge is great.

[Lowrider]

Got the DVD in the mail today. Watched it tonight and it was a great video.

[chase perry]

Beautiful.  I would love to see this film.

[TexasTrad]

Just watched this film.  Petersen is the real deal.